KATHMANDU: Nepal’s mountains remain open to climbers and trekkers despite the recent devastation in Rasuwa and along the Bhotekoshi corridor, said newly appointed Nepal Tourism Board member Pemba Sherpa from Manaslu Base Camp.

Sherpa, who is in the base camp on behalf of the NTB to monitor mountaineering activity, said more than 400 climbers were currently there as the autumn climbing season got underway.

“Our mountains are not closed. We are open,” Sherpa said in a message from the base camp, urging international visitors not to stop travelling to Nepal following the recent floods.

According to the Department of Tourism, 451 climbers have received permits to climb Manaslu this autumn, making it by far the busiest mountain in Nepal’s current climbing season. Sherpa said the number of climbers and mountain guides involved in the season would exceed 1,000.

His remarks come weeks after devastating floods in Rasuwa and along the Bhotekoshi River disrupted communities and raised concerns about the impact on Nepal’s tourism industry.

“Please do visit our country, love our country, continue your climbing, continue your trekking, continue your journey,” Sherpa said. “We will support you.”

He said continued travel to Nepal would benefit the country while also supporting guides and other tourism workers whose livelihoods depend on trekking and mountaineering.

“This will be beneficial for the country, beneficial for the cause of flood relief and beneficial for our guides and their livelihood,” he said.

Sherpa is one of five private-sector members recently appointed to the NTB board. A director at 8K Expeditions, he has nearly 15 years of experience in Nepal’s tourism industry, including managing trekking and mountaineering expeditions and working as a general manager at a trekking agency.

Manaslu, the world’s eighth-highest mountain at 8,163 metres, has emerged as the main focus of Nepal’s autumn climbing season. The September 11 royalty report shows 451 climbers have been authorised to climb the mountain, generating $1.353 million in royalties.